Tachibana-dera Temple

The Birthplace of

Prince Shotoku

Tucked away in the peaceful landscape of Asuka Village, Tachibana-dera stands as one of Japan’s most historically significant temples. Believed to be the birthplace of Prince Shotoku—a legendary figure who helped shape early Japanese government and spread Buddhism—this ancient site is a gateway into the spiritual and political roots of Japan. With origins dating back to the 7th century, Tachibana-dera offers visitors a direct link to the Asuka Period, when Buddhism, Confucian ideals, and centralized governance were just beginning to take hold.

The temple grounds are serene and scenic, surrounded by fields and distant hills, yet rich with symbolism and quiet reverence. Its main hall houses a graceful statue of Prince Shōtoku, while the surrounding gardens whisper stories of Japan’s transformation from myth to recorded history.

For travelers seeking a deeper understanding of Japan’s cultural foundations, Tachibana-dera offers a rare and meaningful stop—an encounter with the birthplace of a national legend and the soul of early Japanese civilization.

Explore the Sights

See photos that bring Tachibana-dera Temple to life.

Traditional Japanese temple gate with two stone lion statues at the entrance, under a blue sky with some clouds.
Traditional wooden bell tower with a hanging bronze bell, surrounded by green trees and foliage, in a Japanese garden setting.
A stone pathway leading through a Japanese garden with trees and bushes, towards a traditional building with steps.
A traditional Japanese Shinto shrine with wooden architecture, steps leading to the entrance, surrounded by greenery, under a blue sky with clouds.
Traditional Japanese wooden shrine with steps leading up to it and decorative carvings, surrounded by trees.
A large landscape stone with an abstract face carving, surrounded by four smaller posts, with a white informational sign in Japanese nearby, set in a garden with trees and grass.
Pink and white hollyhock flowers with green leaves in a garden setting.
A traditional Japanese building next to a pond with reflections of trees and the building, surrounded by lush greenery and a partly cloudy sky.
A traditional Japanese temple with a wooden structure, tiled roof, and stone ornaments, surrounded by greenery under a partly cloudy sky.
A rock formation with a small hole in the center filled with water, surrounded by grass and bushes.
A black circular fountain with green floating plants and water, surrounded by small gray rocks.
Traditional Japanese room interior with sliding shoji doors, tatami mats, and a ceiling decorated with artwork of various flowers and plants.
Interior of a traditional Japanese room with a colorful, decorated ceiling featuring circular patterns of floral and nature motifs, wooden sliding doors, and an altar with religious artifacts and statues.
A wooden display shelf with multiple small circular framed paintings of various flowers and nature scenes.
View of a traditional Japanese altar room with wooden accents, displaying religious artifacts, framed pictures, and ornate decorations.
Traditional Japanese temple with wooden buildings, stone lanterns, and a horse statue, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
A traditional Japanese temple courtyard with a bronze horse statue on a large stone pedestal, surrounded by trees, lanterns, and temple buildings with tiled roofs, set against a backdrop of mountains and a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Statue of a seated Buddhist monk or deity inside a temple, with a raised right hand in a blessing gesture, dressed in a pink and purple robe, with Japanese characters on a cloth around its neck, and a flower arrangement in front, surrounded by wooded
Three stone memorial monuments with tall, narrow, engraved columns are positioned on a stone platform outdoors, with a background of green trees and a partly cloudy sky.
Traditional Japanese buildings with tiled roofs in a rural setting, surrounded by lush green fields and a forested hill in the background.